The Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco is a timeless, elegant venue that exudes sophistication. Located in the heart of downtown and featuring grand architectural details, it offers a classic atmosphere with an old-world charm. As a wedding photographer, I’ve found that this venue is a gem with its opulent setting and character-filled spaces. Here’s a guide to making the most of a wedding day at the Julia Morgan Ballroom.
WHERE TO GET READY
The Julia Morgan Ballroom is known for its beautiful wood-paneled walls, grand chandeliers, and intricate ceiling details. With that being said, most of our couples get ready at a nearby hotel, offering brighter spaces for getting ready portraits and maybe even a first look with a cityscape view! Here are some nearby hotels 🙂
- Four Seasons on Sansome
- Ritz Carlton on Stockton
- Omni San Francisco
- Loews Regency San Francisco
- Le Méridien San Francisco
- Hilton Financial District
- Intercon Mark Hopkins
- Fairmont San Francisco
Pre-Ceremony Photos and Bridal Prep
The Julia Morgan Ballroom is located in the heart of San Francisco, offering convenient access to some iconic photography spots, such as the Embarcadero, Ferry Building, and the Transamerica Pyramid. Schedule a little extra time with your photographer to take advantage of these nearby locations for additional variety in your wedding album.
- The Merchants Exchange Building Lobby: This area features elegant, Art Deco-inspired architecture. Utilize it for portraits of the couple or wedding party to give a cohesive, stylish look to the entire wedding album.
- Rooftop Shots: For a unique view of San Francisco, the building’s rooftop offers a fantastic urban backdrop. You can capture the couple with the city skyline, creating an epic contrast to the ballroom’s timeless elegance.
- Nearby San Francisco Streets: With its downtown location, stepping outside for some cityscape shots adds a modern touch to the album. Consider nearby landmarks for a variety of portrait options.
- Cable cars: Self explanatory — if you time it right, you may just be lucky enough to catch a cable car for a spontaneous photo or two before they move on their merry way.
Lighting in the Ballroom
- The Julia Morgan Ballroom has beautiful but warm ambient lighting. To capture stunning photos, consider bringing in additional lighting, like uplighting or pin spots, which can add depth and highlight key details. A photographer experienced in working at this venue will be able to utilize its warm tones while avoiding unwanted shadows.
- Since large windows offer wonderful natural light earlier in the day, consider taking portraits during daylight hours if possible to maximize the natural glow.
Ceremony Setup and Tips
Depending on your preferences, the ballroom can be transformed for the ceremony. Here are a few tips:
- Aisle and Altar Space: With its large, open space, the ballroom allows for various setup configurations. Ensure you’re ready to capture the aisle setup with symmetrical shots that emphasize the grandeur of the room.
- Wide Shots During Vows: To showcase the couple with the guests, capture wide shots that encompass the entire room. This perspective highlights the scale and ambiance of the ballroom.
- Use Balcony Angles (if available): For a unique perspective, shoot from the balcony to capture overhead shots of the ceremony, adding depth and interest to the images.
Enhance the Dining Experience
- The ballroom offers top-notch catering options, and this is a fantastic venue to splurge on a memorable dining experience for your guests. Think about a multi-course meal, wine pairings, or a customized dessert bar that highlights local flavors.
- Discuss any dietary preferences or special requirements with the catering team to make sure all your guests feel accommodated and can fully enjoy the event.
Post-Ceremony Portraits
For more intimate shots with the couple after the ceremony, explore the following:
- Staircase Shots: The staircase within the Merchants Exchange Building is a striking location for classic, dramatic portraits.
- City Nighttime Portraits: If you’re open to it, head outside for nighttime portraits with the San Francisco skyline or nearby lit buildings. This adds a modern, urban contrast to the evening’s timeless theme. The ability to get some street portraits is one of the coolest parts of getting married at an urban venue like Julia Morgan Ballroom.
- Rooftop Portraits: If the venue allows, definitely make time to do sunset portraits on the roof. With a clear view of California street & (fingers crossed) sun flares peering through the buildings, rooftop photos can make for some epic couples photos. Check out Sarah & Amadeus’ wedding at the bottom of this page if you want to see how cool these can be.
Handling Logistical Considerations
- Parking and Transportation: Being in the heart of San Francisco, downtown traffic can be an issue. Make sure to plan ahead for parking and factor in time for transporting guests.
- Working closely with the venue’s planning team can make a big difference. The whole planning team at Julia Morgan Ballroom is wonderful & such good vibes. They’re familiar with the flow that works best for weddings at the Julia Morgan Ballroom and can provide valuable advice on timing, especially when it comes to setting up for the ceremony and turning over the room for the reception. Be clear about your timeline and any specific requests early on to avoid any last-minute adjustments on the day itself.
- Accessibility: The Julia Morgan Ballroom is located in a historic building, and though it’s well-maintained, it’s wise to keep accessibility in mind. Ensure you have clear directions for older guests or anyone with mobility concerns, as the building’s elevator access may need explaining.
Final Thoughts
The Julia Morgan Ballroom offers a perfect blend of historic elegance and modern sophistication, making it a dream setting for wedding photography. With careful planning and an eye for detail, we can capture the venue’s unique character, giving the you a gallery filled with timeless and sophisticated images.
What to see more Julia Morgan Ballroom wedding photos? Check out our Julia Morgan Ballroom weddings below:
Click The Links Below To See More Beautiful Wedding Photos:
Faina & Drew’s Presidio Log Cabin Wedding Photos
Paras & Nidhi’s Nella Terra Wedding Photos
Brandon & Lana’s Carneros Wedding Photos
FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHER:
At Apollo Fotografie it’s safe to say we love love. Like a lot. Our skilled professional photographers are passionate about their work. Our photographers are trained in a light and airy cinematic storytelling style. This is what makes us some of the best photographers in the Bay Area. We specialize in surprise engagements, engagement photography, San Francisco City Hall ceremonies, elopements, and weddings. Let us help you document your love! Whether you’re in San Francisco, the Bay Area, or beyond. Contact us at Apollo Fotografie today for pricing and availability.
